Cyprus The Royal Canadian Regiment

[David Ward]

thanks for the picture of Sigs Plt in '74-'75.  ''nice to see how young John Tierney was.  We joined the Regiment together in 1973.

[bjmaclean]

Cyprus holds a special place in my memories. I did 3 tours 74, 84, 89. All with 1RCR.
I was lucky as I went to Cyprus on a Holiday in 93. Went to all the old haunts that you will all remember. I visited with some of our old Cypriat friends, Chris the tailor, Chris the Jewler, George for the smoke shop and many others.
I was planning to retire there but due to medical complications that dream was dashed. For all you old soldiers in 93 the snokeling, scuba and the beaches were just as you remember.
I hope the best for that little island in the Med.

[Whytie]

Hey BJ

I remember the 84-85 Cyprus tour with fond memories. I was with 7 Platoon C Co., with WO Starkey as platoon WO and had Sgt. Godin and Mcpl. Stacey McAndrews as Sgt. and 2IC. I remember you were the Platoon warrant for 8 Platoon and we had Ralph Olson as MWO. I remember many of the members fondly, Ken Parker, Bob Moeller, Pete Swartz, Rob Blake and many more. I would have to say the 6 months in Cyprus was the highlight of my short military career.











Whytie

[Mike Blais]

That was a great tour, at least till I was med evaced... I plan on going back some day.

[Whytie]

Mike

You are so right, it was a great place for a tour and I too would love to go back some day. I worked with a chap at MTO who was marrying a girl from Russia, and because of the red tape in getting her to Canada they would meet in Cyprus. He told me how beautiful it still is with the beaches and seaside resorts.
I remember at the end of my tour I was sent to do a security detail at an airport depot gaurding items being sent back to Canada. We we're put up at a nice hotel on the beach front, not sure what the town was called now, but it was a hot spot for european tourist, especially some nice looking women from Australia. I was there with an RP, Cpl. Monpetit (unsure if spelt correctly) and we had a blast checking the bars, everyone was really friendly giving us free beer. If I could remember where that was I would love to visit there again, it was really beautiful.

Whytie

[ranrad]

For sure guys. If there is a place on this earth that is perfect it is likely Cyprus. I understand BJ your wanting to live there..it is a paradise for sure..well, Mike had an idea some time ago of organizing a reunion  there.. it could be one heck of a holiday and great time for all..?  ranrad

[R. Ball]

I love to go back for a couple of weeks.
Excellent donairs & that Keo pure alcohol was a killer.
I'd enjoy hitting some of the old haunts if there still going.

Rick

PS: I wonder if MurMur (aka Mumbles) is still plying her trade as a whiskey dollie.
That would be a scary site.

[Michael OLeary]

Perhaps some of you guys that were on different tours in Cyprus could contribute to the Regiment's information on the experiences of regimental soldiers:

20 Questions - Operations

To date, there are only a couple of submissions on tours in Cyprus, and those only offer the officers' perspective.

[R. Ball]

Michael - Done.

[Michael OLeary]

Well done and thank you.  As a Regiment we need to work at collecting the stories and history from those who were there.  If we consider The RCR in the First World War, there were over 4000 who served in the Regiment, but only a handful of those recorded any of their stories for the Regiment.  For many of our more recent operations, when only a single battalion, or fewer, participated, it becomes even more important that someone makes a record of the experience. In particular, if the operation was unique in any way, either by being a one-off mission, or by being different from others under the same mandate, it becomes important that the Regiment records those details so that each mission is more than a set of dates on a list.

[D.J Sewell]

Remmber Cleto's wine cellar,we where there in 70. before the Turks moved in, it was some place you could get a large glass of wine for about 10 cents, and boy was it good.he had huge kegs in the wall and he was blind but could tell by sound what keg you where pouring from. 

[Gerry Connors]

When I was posted with the Second in the late 90's as a medic, I got talking to a bunch of old Buds about the 84/85 tour we did.  Some of the guys who did one of the last tours with the Second said mumbles ( or murmur) had passed away. Don't know if true or not though.

[Mike Blais]

Blue Berets to make pilgrimage

Former peacekeepers to return to Cyprus in May to visit graves of fallen Canadians

TERRY ROBERTS
The Telegram

A group of former Canadian Forces peacekeepers, including a handful from this province, are making plans to return to Cyprus this spring on a pilgrimage to visit the graves of their fallen comrades and witness the changes that have taken place on the troubled Mediterranean island.

The 10-day trip begins May 14 and is being organized by the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association. Garry Best, president of the association's Newfoundland and Labrador division, came up with the idea.

It will be his first time back to Cyprus since serving there with the Blue Berets - a term often used to describe United Nations peacekeepers - in 1972.

"Cyprus is a beautiful place. It will be nice to go back and see how things worked out," Best said.

Best believes it's the first such pilgrimage by a group of former Canadian soldiers to a country where they served as peacekeepers.

So far, some 15 veterans and their spouses have committed to making the journey. Three of them - Best and Wayne Miller of Conception Bay South, and Ed Dicks of St. John's - are from this province.

Best said there is room for many more, and is inviting former peacekeepers who may be interested in making the trip to get in contact with him. The all-inclusive cost is $2,800 for a couple, and $3,050 for a single traveller. Best explained it's cheaper for a couple because they share accommodations.

This fee covers travel from St. John's to Cyprus, and meals and accommodations.

Hundreds of soldiers with roots in this province served in Cyprus from 1964 to 1993.

The association is seeking help from the provincial government to assist those who may not be able to afford the trip, Best said.

There are five tours planned during the trip, including visits to the gravesites of Canadian soldiers. Of the 28 Canadians killed in Cyprus, it's believed that 16 were buried on the island.

One of those is Cpl. Otto (Tyke) Redmond of St. John's, who was killed in a vehicle accident there in 1967. Best is also reaching out to the families of those killed in Cyprus, and invites them to come along as well.

The veterans will inspect the graves and lay wreaths, Best added.

A representative of the Department of National Defence or Veterans Affairs Canada is also expected to make the journey. Best hopes the pilgrimage will be the first of many to destinations where Canadians have served as peacekeepers, including Egypt, Syria and the Balkans.

"It's something that needs to be done," he said. "The general public has never really embraced peacekeepers as doing anything extraordinary, but we believe we have."

Garry Best can be reached by phone at 834-1434, or e-mail at newfoundlandpeacekeepers@hotmail.com.

troberts@thetelegram.com

[ranrad]

Well, thats great to see. For me its too short notice, but i hope all have a great time..im sire they will..one day i hope to . ranrad

[Mike Blais]

I would like to see an RCR contingent go over one day, maybe on the anniversary of the first deployment .